Five Chapel Hill juniors are asking two, 90-year-old men to go on “vacation” with them to France as part of their service project. The students are working hard to bring the two WWII veterans to France for the commemoration ceremonies in Normandy. The teens call themselves “Envoys of Honor” as they will honor and serve these men who were a part of the worlds “Greatest Generation.” They imagine themselves accompanying the men to the 70th D-Day ceremonies, using their French language skills to translate expressions of gratitude from local French people and, most importantly, listening to their stories and then sharing them with high school classes and local VFW posts on their return. The two veterans, who were liberators of Europe, live in Chapel Hill and Durham. Mark Sumner, an infantry scout, earned two Bronze Medals, as well as the French Legion of Honor as he fought in Belgium at the Battle of the Bulge, as well as in Germany and Holland. Ed Chappell was a signalman who was responsible for ferrying Sherman tanks to Omaha Beach. His ship completed six landings on June 6, 1944 - better known as D-Day - including being a part of the first wave of boats on Omaha Beach. Mr. Chappells brother was killed in France, and he has never had the opportunity to go back and visit his grave. For more information about this project, please visit the students website at gettingtoknoweurope.org/nc-to-normandy/ or if you would like to contribute to bringing these men and a family member back to Normandy, please make a donation to NC-to-Normandy through the CHCCS Public School Foundation, or contact teacher Robin McMahon at [email protected]. Pictured: The 2 veterans and the students in a Jeep - the mode of transportation 70 years ago in Normandy. The National WWII Museum The National D-Day Memorial
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 16:15:00 +0000
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